26 March 2012 7 PM BVN PAC

Blue Valley North High School Mustang Voices Presents

songs of ascension

Amy Luckenbill, director Carol Mueller, accompanist

As a courtesy to the students who have worked so hard to prepare this concert for you, and to your fellow audience members, please refrain from using your electronic devices during the performance. Should you find it absolutely necessary, please find a seat in the back ten rows, so as not to disturb or distract from this evening’s performance.

The Program

Part I

The U.S. Air Force Robert Crawford arr. Carl Strommen

Off we go into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high into the sun. Here they come zooming to meet our thunder, At ‘em boys give ‘er the gun!

Down we dive, spouting our flame from under, Off on one terrible course! We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey! Nothing ‘ll stop the U.S. Air Force. No, nothing ‘ll stop the U.S. Air Force.

Mustang Chorale

Stars of the Summer Night Isaac Woodbury Henry Wadsworth Longfellow arr. Don Large

Stars of the summer night, Far in yon azure deeps, Hide your golden light, She sleeps, my lady sleeps.

Dreams of the summer night. Tell her, her lover keeps watch While in slumber light, She sleeps, my lady sleeps.

Mustang Voices Men

2 La Paloma Traditional, Venezuela (The Dove) arr. Cristian Grases

Donde estaba la paloma que el Where did the dove that the gavilan la cogio? sparrow hawk caught go? Que se hizo la paloma que Where is the dove that the el gavilan la cogio? sparrow hawk caught? En la puerta de Ramona Ay! At Ramona’s gate, Oh! Mira y fue que la desplumo. Look, I found it plucked.

Todo en la vida es mentira solo All in life is false, la muerte es verda. death is the only truth. Porque ahi es donde se acaba la For there is where pompa y la vanida. pomp and vanity run out.

Como no voy a llorar a mi Why wouldn’t I cry when mama cuando se muera? my mother dies? Ojala que yo pudiera I wish I could bring volverla a resucita. her back to life.

Ya me voy, Maria, I’m leaving, Maria, I leave ahi te dejo la paloma, the dove there for you, Abriel el pico y que coma, Open its beak and make it eat, ahi te dejo la comia. I’m leaving the food there.

Ya me voy, ya me despido I’m leaving, I say goodbye even aunque la gaita esta though the gaita is muy Buena. very good. Dale duo a esa tambora pa que Beat this drum hard so my se anime mi pena. sorrow cheers up.

Jackson Hubble, guitar

Mustang Voices Treble Choir

Places Among the Stars Jonathan Adams

Places among the stars, Soft gardens near the sun, Keep your distant beauty; Shed no beams upon my weak heart.

Since she is here in a place of blackness, Not your golden days, nor you silver nights Can call me to you. Since she is here in a place of blackness, Here I stay and wait.

Let Me Fly Traditional, United States arr. Robert DeCormier

Way down yonder in the middle of the fiel’ Angel a workin’ at the chariot wheel, Not so particular ‘bout workin’ at the wheel, I jus’ wan’ to see how the chariot feel. Oh, let me fly to Mount Zion, Lord.

Meet the hypocrite on the street. First thing he do is show his teeth, Next thing he do is tell a lie, Well the best thing to do is pass him by.

I got a mother, yes, Lord. Well I ain’t gonna stop ‘til I shake her hand Not so partic’lar ‘bout shakin’ her hand, But I just wan’ to get to the Promised Land.

I heard such a rumblin’ in the sky, I thought my Lord was passin’ by. ‘Twas the good ol’ chariot drawin’ nigh. Well it shook the earth, swept the sky.

I want wings, I wan’ to fly.

Jourdan Cain, baritone

Rhythm of Life from “Sweet Charity” Cy Coleman Dorothy Fields arr. Richard Barnes

When I started down the street last Sunday, Feelin’ mighty low and kinda mean, Suddenly a voice said, “Go forth, neighbor! Spread the picture on a wider screen!” And the voice said, “Neighbor, There’s a million reasons why You should be glad in all four seasons! Hit the road, neighbor, leave your worries and strife! Spread the religion of the rhythm of life.”

For the rhythm of life is a powerful beat, Puts a tingle in your fingers and a tingle in your feet. Rhythm on the inside, rhythm on the street, And the rhythm of life is a powerful beat! Go, go, go! Tell them ev’rything you know! Go and spread the gospel in Milwaukee; Take a walkie talkie to Rocky Ridge! All the way to Canton, then to Scranton, Even tell it under the Manhattan Bridge. You will make a new sensation, Have a growing congregation, Build a glowing operation here below! Like a Pied Piper blowing, Lead and keep the music flowing, Keep the rhythm go, go, going; Go, go, go!

Flip your wings and fly up high! You can do it if you try! Like a bird up in the sky!

Navy & Silver Choirs

Over the Rainbow Harold Arlen E.Y. Harburg arr. Russ Robinson

Somewhere over the rainbow way up high There’s a land that I’ve heard of once in a lullaby. Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.

Someday I’ll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me. Where troubles melt like lemon drops away above the chimney tops that’s where you’ll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow blue birds fly Birds fly over the rainbow why, then oh, why can’t I? If happy, little blue birds fly above the rainbow Why, oh, why can’t I?

5 Les Étoiles Mark Sirett

Les étoiles les brillent The stars shine pendant la nuit, through the night, Toutes petites et jolies. All small and pretty. Des milliers de petits soleils Some thousands of tiny suns Au Coeur de l’immensité, in the heart of infinity, L’immensité noire. Black infinity.

Elles clignotent toute la nuit They blink all night Et puis ells s’enfuient And then they flee. Quand le jour vient, When the day arrives, they are Il n’y a plus rien no more. Tout est éphémère. All is fleeting.

Chamberettes

Jacob’s Ladder from Eitz Chayim Andrew Blechner (Tree of Life)

…V’hinei sulam …and behold a ladder mutsav artza v’rosho was set on the ground, Magia hashamaima. its head reaching to heaven; V’hinei malachei eilohim olim And behold angels of God v’yordim bo. going up and down upon it.

V’ze sha’ar hahamayim. This is the gate of heaven.

I Want Two Wings Traditional, United States arr. Alice Parker

O Lord, I want two wings to cover my face, When I reach my heavenly home. I want two dancin’ shoes to put on my feet, When I reach my heavenly home. I want a golden harp to play by myself, When I reach my heavenly home.

O Lord, I want a song to sing in my heart And I’ll reach my home; yes, I’ll reach my home. O Lord, I want two wings, I want two dancin’ shoes, I want a golden harp, An’ I’ll sing my song; Yes, I’ll sing my song when I reach my heavenly home.

6 My Sun and Stars Jonathan Adams Sara Teasdale

You bound strong sandals on my feet, You gave me bread and wine, And set me under the sun and stars, For all the world was mine.

Oh, take the sandals off my feet, You know not what you do; For all my world is in your arms, The sun and stars are you.

The Spirit of Adventure Michael Giancchino from “Up” arr. Kirby Shaw

Adventure is out there, it’s heading our way So grab your scarf and goggles; let’s fly! I’ve mapped out our journey; we’re up here to stay! A sunset is our home, a moonbeam we will own! My spirit of adventure is you!

Adventure is out there; it’s my holy grail, So cannibals and tigers, beware! I’ve made my life’s journey to blaze ev’ry trail. I’ve got my aero fare, the highbrows will be there! My spirit of adventure is you!

Freaks of nature span a globe that’s too big to deny. With canine guards, we’ll travel there and spit into their eye! I can’t wait another day for my life to waste away! We’ll make it a joint venture before we’re in our dentures! My spirit of adventure is you!

Gargantuan monstrosities, larger than a whale! Come with me and we will catch that giant monkey’s tail! Bang! Bang! Once the smoke has cleared, After all the crowds have cheered! Another risky venture, it sure would be the clincher! My spirit of adventure is you!

The spirit of adventure is something to indenture! My spirit of adventure is you! Nobody but you!

Mustang Singers

The Stairs Behind the Sky René Clausen

I know a place where the staircase goes, And ends behind the sky. Beyond the realm of earth and sea, Beyond the hills I cannot see, Beyond the forest’s high mountain tree. To heav’n where the staircase goes. Come with me to the place behind the sky, Where the air is sweet and clear, Where the sun and the moonlight softly glow Come with me to a place that is far, far away To dance where the angels sing and play To the place up above, to the place filled with love, To heav’n just behind the sky.

Nikki Merrill, soprano

Les Chants des Oiseaux Clément Janequin (c.1485-1558) Sung in French

Wake up sleepy heads! The God of Love calls you! The birds will work wonders this May Day To dispel your worries Unplug your ears.

Everyone will be filled with joy, For the season is pleasant, And the song-thrush will make Sweet, original music. Everyone will laugh and rejoice. The nightingale sets the woods Ringing with twittering throat.

Flee regrets, tears, and cares! The season is pleasant. Away Mister Cuckoo, Everyone regards you as a traitor. “Cuckoo”…treacherously laying eggs In each nest uninvited. Wake up you sleeping heads! The God of Love calls you!

Blackbird John Lennon & Paul McCartney Arr. Daryl Runswick

Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these broken wings and learn to fly; All your life you were only waiting for this moment to arise. Blackbird fly into the light of a dark, black night. Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take theses sunken eyes and learn to see; All your life you were only waiting for this moment to be free.

~ 2 minute seating break ~

Intermedio

An intermedio is an entertainment offering present between parts of a major production. Traditionally presented between acts of operas, which often grew into operas themselves, these short productions offered a little something extra for the audience to enjoy – a distraction, if you will. A number of the Mustang Voices sing in Sound Proof. We are happy to welcome them to our stage. If you elect to skip the intermedio, please exit the hall quickly and quietly, so that we may proceed post-haste!

Sound Proof James Levy, director

Hide and Seek arr. Bates You Don't Know Me arr. Goldschmidt All The Things You Are arr. Skeet

~ 2 minute seating break ~

9 Part Two

When You Wish Upon a Star Leigh Harline Ned Washington arr. Clay Warnick

When you wish upon a star Makes no difference who you are Anything your heart desires will come to you. If your heart is in your dreams No request is too extreme When you wish upon a star as dreamers do. Fate is kind; she brings to those who love The sweet fulfillment of their secret longing Like a bolt out of the blue Fate steps in and sees you thru, When you wish upon a star your dream comes true.

Blue Skies Irving Berlin arr. Steve Zegree

Blue skies smiling at me, nothing but blue skies do I see. Blue birds singing a song, nothing but blue birds all day long.

Never saw the sun shining so bright. Never saw things going so right. Noticing the days hurrying by, When you’re in love my how they fly.

Oh, blue days all of them gone, Nothing but blue skies from now on.

Ellie Kucia & Joseph Bricker, soloists

Door 39

Let Their Celestial Concerts Unite G. F. Handel (1685-1759) Let their celestial concerts all unite, Ever to sound His praise, In endless morn of light.

Ezekiel Saw de Wheel Traditional, United States arr. Moses Hogan

Ezekiel saw de wheel way up in de air. An’ de lil’ wheel run by faith, An’ de big wheel run by de grace of God,

10 ‘Tis a wheel in a wheel in de middle of de wheel Way in de middle of de air. Oh, some go to church fo’ to sing an’ shout, An’ befo’ six months dey’s all turned out Let me tell you what a hypocrit’ do He’ll talk about me and he’ll talk about you.

I’m goin’ jine the heav’nly choir When dis worl’ is set on fiyer One o’ dese days, ‘bout Twelve o’clock, Dis ole worl’ gonna reel an’ rock.

Sarah Hennessey, soprano

Across the Vast, Eternal Sky Ola Gjeilo Charles Anthony Silvestri

Weary I fly, across the vast eternal sky, High in the heavens, where awaits my destiny. Grey skies are thick’ning; Soon now my time will come, Time to return home ‘cross the vast eternal sky.

When I was young I flew in the velvet night; Shining by day, a firebird bathed in light! Grey now my feathers, which were red and gold. My destiny to soar up to the Sunlight shines on my face; This is my grace to be Restored, Born again, In flame!

Do not despair that I am gone away; I will appear again when the sunset paints Flames across the vast eternal sky.

Laura Hoefer, soprano

Mustang Chorale

Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine Eric Whitacre Charles Anthony Silvestri

Tormented by visions of flight and falling, More wondrous and terrible each than the last, Master Leonardo imagines an engine To carry man up into the sun…

And he’s dreaming the heavens call him, Softly whispering the siren-song: “Leonardo, Leonardo, vieni à volare.” (“Leonardo, Leonardo, come fly.”)

L’uomo colle sua congigniate e grandi ale (A man with wings large enough and duly connected) Facciendo forza contro alla resistente aria. (Might learn to overcome the resistance of the air.)

As the candles burn low he paces and writes, Releasing purchased pigeons one by one Into the golden Tuscan sunrise…

And as he dreams, again the calling, The very air itself gives voice: “Leonardo, Leonardo, vieni à volare.” (“Leonardo, Leonardo, come fly.”)

Vicina all’ element del fuoco… (Close to the sphere of elemental fire…) Scratching quill on crumpled paper Rete, canna, filo, carta. (Net, cane, thread, paper.) Images of wing and frame and fabric fastened tightly. …Sulla suprema sottile aria. (…in the highest and rarest atmosphere.)

As the midnight watchtower tolls, Over rooftop, street and dome, The triumph of a human being ascending In the dreaming of a mortal man.

Leonardo steels himself, Takes on last breath, and leaps…. “Leonado vieni à volare! Leonado, sognare!” (“Leonardo, come fly! Leonardo, dream!”)

Chamber Singers

I Believe I Can Fly R. Kelly/arr. Teena Chinn

Erica Punch, Peter Berry, Sarah Posz & Juan Gonzalez, soloists

Mustang Chorale

Brooke Adams * Emily Degner * Christian Hughes * Veronica Propeck Lauren Aks Thompson Deufel * Stephanie Hughes Erica Punch * Betsy Austin * Carleigh Douglas Daniel Imlay Macie Reitz + Margaret Bang Maddie Douglas * Haley Knudsen * Morgan Roberts ~ Christian Benton-Keys Meryl Engle Cole Link * Austin Ruben Sofia Belhouari * Levi Gerson * De'Ausha Marshall ~ Clayton Melissa Berger * Juan Gonzalez * Nikki Merrill * Shuttleworth Peter Berry * Jessica Halliwell Ryan Merschbrock Courtney Specker Aaron Bull *+ Joseph Hammer + Jenny Modisett Brittany Stevens Taylor Carnes * Drew Hartzler * Meghan Mora Brittni Walters Veronica Clark Chloe Henderson ~ Laura Parker Evan Watson * Abe Cullom * Matt Hennahane Danielle Perkey Elizabeth Weis * Ryan DeSett Sarah Hennessey * Jennifer Peters * Scott Williams * Laura Hoefer * Sarah Posz *

Mustang Singers

Emily Antonenko + Eddie Christopher Yorika Kinjo Elias Ramirez Marina Berkley Andrea Eakin ~ Eleanor Kucia + Emily Ritchie Charlie Betzelberger Raekwon Edwards Alecia Leick ~+ Mackenzie Rosenberg Taylor Breckenridge Kara Galbraith ~ Megan Lurz Graham Schmidt Joseph Bricker + Miranda Hall- Kellen Mahood Eliza Schow + Megan Bull Aquitania Elizabeth Martino Courtney Sheridan Sydney Burrus Wyatt Howes + Korryn McDonald Luke Taylor Hannah Carter ~ Ben Kaster Sarah Newstrom Meg Wagner ~ Christopher Choi Courtney McKinzie Norton Wesley Wang Kiersznowski Elaina Parker Abbie Williams

Navy & Silver Choir

Bobby Allison Nick Collins Riley Kettering Ria Schome Paris Amory Jordan Colburn Hope Lanigan Molly Sobek Melissa Anderson Clayton Covington + Ben Leeper Ivory Terry Ashley Antonenko Dreyah Cushman Molly Lindsey Hannah Theisen Sydney Bohannon Maddie Easley Jordan Mura Lizzy Tillery Joseph Borich Matt Emerson Laney Neal Kayla Valiani Rachel Branham Dominique Ferguson + Whitney Raider- Aaliyah Watson Sadie Brown Jacob Flekier Wexler Rachel West Jennifer Bryan Hannah Guillies Anika Rasheed Daniel Wilson Julie Byrne Megan Hirschi Malanie Shaner Joey Wise Jourdan Cain Jackson Hubble Jack Shank Morgan Wolfe Brandon Kannady

* member of Chamber Singers ~ member of Chamberettes + member of Door 39

Sound Proof

Abby Mclain Chandler Harrison Kelsey Knecht Michael Hicks Alyssa Scharnhorst Charles Ray Lily Kaufmann Nico Caruso Amy Bonds Evan Watson Luke Harbur Sarah Posz Brianna Savage Haley Knudsen Maddie Sullivan Taylor Carnes Cameron Dobson Haley White Max Duncan Thompson Deufel Juan Gonzalez